The Difference Between Going Through Sprint Directly or Best Buy

I was wondering if anyone has any feedback about buying cellphones from Best Buy as apposed to going through the provider. I just got done with a Sprint chat where the person kept warning me that "Independent Distributors are not Sprint. They can add fees." She would not directly comment on Best buy when I asked her.
The reason I ask is because the HTC Hero is so much cheaper through best buy, $79, as apposed to $149, through Sprint. I am a current Sprint customer and eligible for the full 2 year discount. I don't want to change my pricing plan or anything. I just want to upgrade my phone and renew my contract.
Will I be able to take the phone into Sprint to be serviced, like I have in the past? I like the experiences I have had using my Sprint insurance.
Thanks for any feed back in advance.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

While authorized retailers can add fees, BB does not. The only thing you will be charged is the $18 upgrade fee, which is charged by Sprint. They just don't want you to buy from BB, because they know how much cheaper it is.
Now, you mentioned that you want to purchase the Hero. Keep in mind that this phone does require an Everything Data or Everything Data Share plan, so if you are not currently on one of these plans, this phone will require you to switch.
Yes, you will be able to go into a Sprint Repair Center for servicing, and continue your Sprint insurance coverage.
I'm not sure if you're aware, but BB does offer their GSBTP plan for cellphones. On the Hero, it would be $10/mo., which can be cancelled at any time. It does not have a maximum number of claims per year, or a deductible, whereas Sprint has a max two claims per year and a $100 deductible per claim. The GSBTP plan covers mfg. defects, dust, heat, humidity, power surge, normal wear and tear, and drops and spills not due to negligence or abuse. Average turnaround time is 2-4 weeks, and BB does offer a basic loaner phone for a $150 deposit.

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Message was edited by:
Avneet M

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Corporate Information Factory, 2nd Edition by W. H. Inmon, Claudia Imhoff, Ryan Sousa
Building the Data Warehouse, 2nd Edition by W. H. Inmon
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Database Fundamentals > Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence with Mike Lampa
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